USA > Massachusetts > Suffolk County > Boston > Volume of records relating to the early history of Boston : containing Boston town records, 1796 to 1813 > Part 23
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A debt of 152,000 dollars which is balanced only by a debt due
289
BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1811.
to the Town upon past taxes of 109,000 dollars, one third of the former bearing interest, while the whole of the latter carries no interest, exhibits such marks of improvidence, as Calls for an imediate remedy .- It must also be observed that while the debts due from the Town must be discharged at their face, a very Con- siderable proportion of the sum due to the Corporation may never be Collected .-
Happily however the relief is in our own power, the means proposed to remedy this evil are of two kinds .-
1st. To dispose of so much of the Towns property, as will place them in a state of Independence .-
[452.] 2ndly. To Alter the System of Collection in future in such a manner as may prevent the recurrence of a deficiency so mortifying and injurious to the interests of the Town .-
As to the first, it would not be expedient for the Town at the present moment, to force the Sales of any part of their property which is not in demand; but it is thought by your Committee, that the land lying on the Street leading to South Boston Bridge, the Lot opposite to the mall, and the land on Beacon Hill, may be Sold at as high a price as it will probably produce at any future day, especially when it be considered that it produces no income, and the loss to the Town, from Keeping the land in an unproductive state, is not less than 1500 dollars Per Annum ; and your Committee are further of opinion, that the erection of valuable houses on the said vacant lands, will not only furnish a new fund for taxation but will promote the growth and prosperity of the Town .- .
The Committee would remark as a further inducement to this sale, that if the lands thus disposed of should produce the sum at which they are estimated, it would reduce the present large balance due from the Town, to a sum not much exceeding 20,000 dollars which might easily be sunk in the taxes to two years - As to the 2ª. point the collection of taxes, no argument need be used, beyond the simple state of facts to prove, that the present mode is most deficient, wasteful, and ruinous. -
[453.] A defect in the Collection of 109,000 Dollars, not more than 43,000 of which is for the last year, and the whole of which has been due more than four Months and some of it several years without interest, speaks a language which cannot and ought not to be mistaken .-
In what manner is this to be remedied ?
Two considerations have suggested themselves to your Committee .-
The one to abolish the premium paid to the wealthy part of the community for doing what the law and the moral obligation arising from the duty they owe the Town, would induce them to do without such Premium .-
The other by altering the times and mode of Collection to insure as much punctuality in the Collection of the Town taxes, as is found in the Collection of the taxes due to the United
290
CITY DOCUMENT No. 115.
States, which are surely not of a more imperious or important nature .-
As to the first it originated in a disposition to Change a delatory & injurious mode of Collection, which had formerly crept into the practices of the Town. -
The opulent were bribed by the tender of a premium to do that which their own best interests and their patriotism ought to have induced them to do without it. -
What would be thought of an individual heavily in debt who, when he had large sums of money fairly due from his neighbours, should offer them a [454] premium to pay the debts they had voluntarily Contracted? what still more be thought of such a man if like this Town he paid an high usurious interest for money which he borrowed of his debtor, who had then owed him the same sum more than six months?
But if the Town must resort to loans to anticipate the Collection of its just debts, is there no mode of procuring them short of an usurious premium? Is the Credit of this opulent Town whose Corporate property vastly exceeds it's debts, and may be reasona- ably estimated at half a million of dollars, so low that it is unable to procure money on a pledge of its taxes, short of one pr. Cent per month ?
If this indeed be the case, we ought to blush. that the Town cannot find among its citizens a man of ordinary financial abilities, or of a moderate share of public spirit .-
But this is not so. The mischief has been tolerated, because it was not the peculiar duty of any individual to remedy it. - The inhabitants voluntarily inflicted the penalty upon themselves ; they have suffered enough for it; they have paid more than 20,000 dollars in premiums to their own debtors, because they would not as all other Towns do, compel them to pay .-
But our citizens will wish, we hope, to wipe away this stain ; they will pay in future cheerfully without a premium, after having been indulged Six Months from the first of May when the tax is presumed to be Assessed .-
For what debt is there more honorably obligatory than that due to the Town .-
[455.] It is incurred for the education of our children; for the preservation of our health; for the godlike charity of Sup- porting our poor ; for the preservation of our lives & limbs by repairing and lighting our Streets. These form three quarters of our annual expenditure .-
The money ought to be paid at sight ; such is the law of the State; such is the usage of many prudent Towns ; such if it were not the law, would be our interest & our duty. Let us then apply to the Legislature to repeal this premium paid to the rich & let them vie with each other in the punctuality of discharging their debts, their most solemn debts to the Town, debts equally important as those due to the banks, or to the United States .-
But lest principles of patriotism may not have their full effect,
291
BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1811.
the Committee proceed to recommend under the second head of improvement in the Collection of taxes .-
1st. The appointment of four assistant collectors, who shall be allowed in addition to the fees of Office the sum of Three hundred Dollars per Annum each .-
It will be perceived that the premiums paid to the Opulent and the punctual have amounted to 3200 dollars per Annum, and of course that these salaries if the premiums are abolished will still leave the Town better by the sum of two thousand dollars .-
[456.] 2dy. It is proposed that all the taxes shall be paid in without any exception at the end of Sixty days after the deliv- ery of the tax bills -This it will be perceived is only Sixty days sooner than the inhabitants are now obliged to pay them, & if we deduct ten days for Notices as has been usually allowed, the loss to the Town will be fifty days only .- After the first year it will be seen that the tax will not recur at an earlier period to the citi- zen, as the burthen is to be born every year, and only once in each year .-
At the expiration of the Seventy days it shall be the duty of the Town Treasurer to issue his warrants ; after which every man who has not paid his tax will be subjected to the payment of the fees of Collection, which will amount to nearly five per Cent. and the same, shall be notified to each inhabitant on the tax bill, and that if the same shall not be paid at the expiration of the ten days, that warrants shall issue therefore. This it is believed will be as powerful a Consideration with those who now receive the premium as the premium itself.
All classes of the community will reap an advantage from this System by the improvement of the Credit of the Town and by the consequent diminution of future taxes.
3dly It is proposed by the Committee that the Assessors should be enjoined to issue the tax bills on or before the first day of September in each year, and if any additional expence of Clerk hire shall be thereby incurred, that the same shall be paid by the Town .-
The reasons which have induced the Committee [457] to urge this anticipation of the taxes are, that the Season of labour is the period of profit to almost all Classes of the people ; that the winter is the moment of repose in which many Citizens are obliged to Consume the fruits of their summer industry ; that they can pay with more ease while they are in the receipt of money ; but more especially because hundreds of labourers who are taxed, collect during the Summer the money of the Citizens of this town & in Autumn fly away with it to their own home, without Contributing towards the public burden of those who have protected and paid them .-
Lastly. The Collector shall be directed to issue his warrants for the Collecting of all taxes now in arrear without any delay or distinction .-
The Committee have given to this subject all the thought &
292
CITY DOCUMENT NO. 115.
reflection in their power. They have had two objects in view, from which they have not Swerved .-
The one to retrieve the Credit of the Town, to diminish ac- cumulated debt, to prevent the recurrence of such accumulation in future .-
The Second to withdraw from certain Classes of Citizens a premium for doing their duty, a reward for paying what both the law, their own sense of duty and the public interest, would have induced them to pay without.
In effecting these objects they have recurred to the old and well approved mode of Collecting the taxes by Special Collectors. A mode which the late Act authorizing the Town Treasurer to Collect [458] them, never intended to abolish, for that Act authorized him to appoint such Assistant Collectors, and the Committee simply recommend the enforcement of that law .-
If the joint and disinterested efforts of a Committee freely chosen from every part of the Town, representing local as well as general interest, shall be productive of any partial or intensive good they shall be happy; if not, they shall enjoy the con- sciousness of well meant and assiduous efforts for the promo- tion of the interests of the town, in whose prosperity they are individually deeply concerned .-
All which is respectfully submitted to the candid consideration of the inhabitants of this town by their Committee .-
Josiah Snelling, Ward Nº. 1.
R. Webster, 4. 2.
Ephraim Eliot,
3.
John Brown,
4.
William Alline, 66
5.
Neh" Parsons, 6.
Step : Codman,
7.
John Lowell, 66 8.
Isaac Winslow, 66 9.
Joseph Tilden, " 10.
I. P. Davis, 60 " 11.
The Gentlemen elected in this Ward
12 did not attend. -
Boston May 14th. 1811. -
The foregoing Report having been read & debated, it was unanimously accepted by the Town. -
on Motion of John Lowell Esq. -
Voted, that it is expedient, that some measures be adopted to lessen the debt due from the Town, and [459] to prevent as far as possible the recurrence of such a balance against the Town in future. -
293
BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1811.
Voted, That Josiah Snelling
Redford Webster
Ephraim Eliot
John Brown William Alline
Nehh Parsons
Stephen Codman
John Lowell
Isaac Winslow
Joseph Tilden
Isaac P. Davis &
Joshua Davis Esqrs. be a Committee with full power and authority to dispose of the land on Beacon Hill, of the lot opposite to the Mall and of the land lying on the Street leading from Orange Street to the South Bridge, at public Auction at such time as they shall deem most beneficial for the Town, and upon such sale to make & execute good deeds thereof in fee Sim- ple with warranty and that the proceeds of such Sale Shall be & the same hereby are appropriated to the liquidation & satisfac- tion of the debts due by the Town. -
Voted, That it is expedient to abolish the premium heretofore paid to those who pay their Taxes within certain limited periods after the delivery of the tax bills & that the Representatives of this Town in the General Court be requested to procure a repeal of any part of any law or Act which has heretofore allowed & permitted such premiums. -
Voted, That in future, it shall be the duty of the Assessors to issue the tax bills on or before the first day of September in each year, and within Sixty days thereafter it shall be the duty of the Town Treasurer to issue his Notifications to each person who shall be Assessed and whose taxes shall not have been wholly abated, and if such person shall not pay his taxes within [460] ten days after the receipt of Such Notification or the Service thereon upon him in the usual form, the Treasurer Shall issue his warrant for Such taxes directed to the Special Collector herein after mentioned who shall be held to Collect the Same before the return day of Such Warrant - and that the Representatives of the Town be requested to apply to the Legislature for Such amendment of the laws for the collection of taxes in this Town as may be necessary to carry the foregoing vote into effect. -
Voted, that the Town Treasurer be recommended to appoint in pursuance of the authority vested in him by law Four deputy Col- lectors who Shall give bond for the faithful execution of their trust - and it shall be the duty of Such Collectors to Collect and receive the Taxes committed to them to Collect, for which they Shall receive the premium or compensation from the persons named in the warrants to them committed which Constables are now entitled by law to Charge & receive, and pay over the Sums so Collected to the Town Treasurer. -
Voted, that as an inducement to the Said Collectors to be vigilant and faithful in the execution of Said trust, there be granted to them annually the Sum of twelve hundred Dollars
294
CITY DOCUMENT No. 115.
which Sum Shall be divided among the said Collectors in pro- portion to the Sum which he or they shall respectively Collect in each year. -
Voted, That the thanks of the Town be given to the Gentlemen Composing the Committee from the Several Wards for their faithful Services. -
[461.] The Committee appointed to Audit the Towns Accounts, have attended that Service and ask leave to report - That they have examined the Town Treasurers Accounts, and find them right cast and well vouched, that a balance remained in his hands of the Sum of Eighteen hundred and twenty Seven dollars five Cents on the first day of May instant which is carried to the Credit of the Town in his New Accounts. -
The Committee report as their opinion that it will be expe- dient for the Town to grant a tax of Seventy Three Thousand & five hundred Dollars to be Assessed on the inhabitants, to defray the expences of the Town the Current Year agreeable to the following estimates. -
To meet the Selectmens drafts $50,000-
Overseers of the Poor 25,000- - Board of Health 7,000
Interest due on Notes due to Banks & individuals - 3,500
Remains Dolls.
73,500- to be provided for. -
all which is Submitted. -
Boston May 24th 1811.
Signed
William Brown. Stephen Codman. Samuel Brown.
The foregoing Report was read & accepted. -
Voted, That the Sum of Seventy three thousand & five hundred Dollars, be raised by a tax to be Assessed [462] on the Polls & Estates of the Inhabitants of the Town, to defray the Expences of the Current year. -
Voted, That the Sum of 8484 dollars & 28 Cents now appear- ing on the Town Treasurers Books as due to Trustees of Neck Land, be appropriated towards the discharge of the Towns debts, and all Monies received in future to be Appropriated to the Same purpose. -
295
BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1811.
Voted, That the Petition from the Inhabitants of South Bos- ton respecting Schooling their Children be referred to the School Committee, who are hereby requested to pay an immediate atten- tion to the same, and to make such provision for the same, as they shall think reasonable. -
Theophilus Curtis -
was Chosen Hogreeve & Hayward in place of John Deluce resigned. -
It is ordered - and the Selectmen are hereby directed & impowered to appoint or license from time to time suitable persons to be sweepers, scrapers, & cleansers of Chimneys in this Town, and whose several Apprentices, shall wear proper badges, to be appointed by the Selectmen, & whose wages, for their work & Services in Cleansing Chimneys, the rates from time to time to be fixed & appointed by the Selectmen. -
Voted, That Hon. William Brown Stephen Codman Esq. Hon. Thomas Dawes, William Hammett & Oliver Keating Esqrs. be a Committee to consider of the various modes that may be adopted of removing the filth of Town, and to examine the places from which Wharfes may be built [463] for that purpose, and that they have power to purchase one or more suitable places if that should be found necessary, & report their doings to the Board of Health & Selectmen.
Voted, that the Sum of Seven hundred and fifty Dollars, be allowed & paid unto Hon. Thomas Dawes Esq. for his Salary as Judge of the Municipal Court the present year.
Voted, that the Sum of fifteen hundred Dollars be allowed & paid unto William Smith Esq. as Treasurer and Collector of Taxes the present year he to pay his Clerk, Assistant, Office hire, and all other expence of Office .-
Voted, That the Sum of One Thousand Dollars be allowed & paid unto Thomas Clark for his Salary as Town Clerk the year ensuing.
Voted, that the Sum of Five hundred Dollars be allowed & paid unto the Town Advocate for his Salary the year ensuing, he to account with the Town for all fees received by him. -
Voted, that the thanks of the Town be given to the Moderator .-
Then the Meeting was Dissolved.
29€
CITY DOCUMENT NO. 115.
[464.] At a Meeting of the Freeholders & other Inhabi- tants of the Town of Boston duly qualified in Public Town Meeting Assembled at Faneuil Hall on Thursday the 4th Day of July A. D. 1811. 9 O'Clock A.M. -
Thomas Clark
was Chosen Moderator. - -
The Committee appointed the last year to make choice of a Gentleman to deliver an Oration on the Anniversary of Indepen- dence - Reported -
That they had Chosen James Savage Esq. who has accepted of the Appointment. -
Adjourned to the Old South Church - 12 O'Clock when
AN ORATION
was delivered by James Savage Esq. to commemorate the Inde- pendence of the United States of America. -
Voted, That the Selectmen be, and hereby are appointed a Committee to wait on James Savage Esq. in the name of the Town, and thank him for the elegant and spirited Oration, this day delivered by him at the request of the Town, upon the anni- versary of American Independence in which were considered the feelings, manners, and principles, which produced the great national event; and to request of him a copy for the press. -
Voted, That the Gentlemen be, and hereby are appointed a Committee, to apply to some able learned Gentleman to deliver an Oration on the 4th day of July 1812 -That day being the anniversary of the Independence of the [465] United States of America, wherein the Orator is to consider the feelings, manners, and principles which led to the great National Event ; as well as the important & happy effects, whether General or Domestic, which have already, or will forever flow from that Auspicious Epoch .-
Then the Meeting was Dissolved.
At a Meeting of the Freeholders & other Inhabitants of the Town of Boston duly qualified & legally warned in Public Town Meeting Assembled at Faneuil Hall on Monday the 11th Day of November A. D. 1811 - 10, O'Clock A. M.
Warrant for calling the Meeting - read.
Charles Bulfinch Esq. chosen Moderator.
297
BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1812.
This Meeting was called in conformity to a Law of this Com- monwealth, Regulating the Selection of Grand, Traverse & petit Jurors. -
The Law of March 12th. 1808. & the Law respecting Engine Men passed November 17th. 1808, being read .- it was Voted. that it is expedient to excuse all Engine Men from serving as Jurors. -
The Selectmen laid before the Town the names of two lists of Persons they had selected, [466] one to serve as Grand & Tra- verse Jurors at the Supreme Judicial Court, & the other to serve as Petit Jurors at the Court of Common Pleas. -
The foregoing Report being considered - it was moved & Voted. That the Town confirm the doings of the Selectmen. -
Then the Meeting was Dissolved.
1812.
[467.] At a Meeting of the male Citizens of the Town of Boston duly qualified and legally warned in public Town Meet- ing assembled at Faneuil Hall on Monday the ninth day of March A D. 1812-10 O'Clock A.M. and by adjournment at 3 O'Clock P.M. on the same day - Prayer by the Revd. Mr. Thacher.
Warrant for calling the Meeting - read -
Stephen Codman Esq.
chosen Moderator. -
Laws, & Extracts of Laws - read. -
Thomas Clark was chosen Town Clerk for the year ensuing - the Oath of Office was administered to him by Stephen Codman Esq.
Charles Bulfinch
Francis Wright
Ebenezer Oliver
Joseph Foster
Jonathan Hunnewell Nathan Webb
John May
Benjamin Weld and
Joseph Lovering Esquires were chosen Selectmen for the year ensuing. -
Voted unanimously, That the Thanks of the Town be given to William Porter Esq. for his faithful services as one of the Select- men for fourteen years past.
298
CITY DOCUMENT NO. 115.
[468.] Voted, That the choice of County and Town Treas- urers and Collector be postponed to an adjournment of this Meeting ; and that a Committee be chosen to examine the state of the Town Treasury & to request of the Court of the General Sessions of the peace for the County of Suffolk a statement of the affairs of the County Treasury -and to consider the expediency of uniting the office of County & Town Treasurer in the same person and to report at an Adjournment.
The following Gentlemen were chosen a Committee in consequence of the foregoing vote - viz.
Josiah Snelling,
Redford Webster, John Brown,
Ephraim Elliot,
William Alline,
Nehemiah Parsons,
Stephen Codman John Lowell,
Isaac Winslow, Joseph Tilden, &
Isaac P. Davis
Joshua Davis Esqs.
Voted, That the Committee Report on the second Monday of April next, being the thirteenth day of said Month.
Voted, That the Committee be requested to have their report printed and distributed for the information of the Inhabitants, one week at least before the said second Monday in April next. -
William Smith William Phillips
Joseph Coolidge Jun".
Joseph Richards
Redford Webster
Bryant P. Tilden
[469.] Thomas Perkins
William Mackay
Ephraim Elliot and
Samuel Snelling Oziah Goodwin Jonathan Phillips Esquires,
were chosen Overseers of the Poor.
Thomas Melvill Andrew Cunningham John Winslow Stephen Codman John Bray Jonª. Hunnewell
Bryant P. Tilden Nathan Webb
Geo. Blanchard
Sam1. M. Thayer
Joseph Tilden Thomas Page
Dan1. Messinger William Sullivan Benjamin Smith Nath1. Curtiss
[470.]
Joseph Austin Benja. Rich Joseph Lovering Francis J. Oliver Gidney King and John D. Williams Esqrs.
Edward Cruft James Phillips were chosen Firewards .-
Voted, That the thanks of the Town be given to Joseph May, Joseph Head, Benjamin Coates, and Ignatius Sargent Esqrs, for their faithful services as Firewards for many years past .-
299
BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1812.
Voted, That in addition to the Selectmen twelve persons shall now be chosen a School Committee; and the votes being collected it appeared that the following Gentlemen were chosen, viz. Revd. W. E. Channing Revd. Joseph S. Buckminster, Revd. Chs. Lowell,
Dr. Aaron Dexter, Arnold Welles Esq., David Greene. Esq, John Heard Esq,
Dr. Thos. Welsh wm. Smith Esq. John Phillips Esq. William Prescott Esq.
and Charles Davis Esq.
Voted, That the above named Gentlemen who conjunctly with the Selectmen, are termed the School Committee, be and hereby are directed to carry the system of Education adopted by the Town into operation ; and that said Committee be also authorised & empower'd conjunctly to manage and regulate the Government of the Schools : and to execute all the powers relative to the Schools & [471] School Masters which the Selectmen or such Commit- tees as are authorised by the Laws of the Commonwealth or by votes of the town to exercise .-
Messrs. Benjamin White John Cogswell wm. Clouston
wm. Ellison
Nath1. Glover
Nath1. Bradlee Jur.
John Howe Jun".
Noah Doggett
Richd. Thayer
Bradk. Loring
Ed. J. Robbins
Thos. Christie
Henry Blake
William Green
Joseph Tucker Moses Eayres Jun".
were chosen Surveyors of Boards & other Lumber .-
Messrs. Henry Purkett Nath1. Howe John Smith & James Eunson,
were chosen Cullers of Hoops and Staves .-
Messrs. Thomas Barbour Messrs. Charles Pook Nath1. Howe John Bannister John Smith
Benj Clark Gershom Spear Sam1. Smith
James Eunson Thos. Lewis and
William Lovis
were chosen Cullers of Dry Fish.
Messrs. Benja. White William Ellison and Nath1. Bradlee Jun".
were chosen Fence Viewers .-
Eleazer Homer
Messrs. Joseph Stodder Allen Bowker
Wm. Ellison Jun".
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CITY DOCUMENT NO. 115.
[472.] Messrs. Joseph Cobbett Messrs. Rufus Harrington and John Deluce Israel Mead JunT.
were chosen Hogreeves.
Messrs. Joseph Cobbett Messrs. Rufus Harrington and John Deluce, (resign'd) Israel Mead
were chosen Haywards.
Samuel Emmons and James Phillips Esqrs.,
were chosen Surveyors of Hemp.
Edward Tuckerman and Josiah Snelling Esqrs.
were chosen Surveyors of Wheat .---
Messrs. John Wells, and Richard Austin
were chosen Assay Masters .-
The Selectmen were chosen Surveyors of High Way.
Messrs. Francis James, Michael Homer, and Samuel Sprague -
were chosen Inspectors of Lime .-
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